Diary of the times of Charles II/Volume 2/Diary continued, March 25 to March 30
25th. Monsieur Belmonde was with me. He told me there was more money at Amsterdam now than ever, that one might have it at 5 per cent., and 14 months to the year; actions fixed at 26, obligations at 104. Monsieur Spaen was with me to take his leave; he promises to be absolutely in our interest, and thinks it much the best that his master can take.
26th. Sir Gabriel Sylvius came to me early in the morning. He seems to be mightily pleased with our affairs, especially with my friends, and I believe he will do them good offices to the Prince. He told me of the Duke's intrigue; he is mightily the Duke's creature, and commends the Duchess. I writ to my Lord Sunderland, Sir Lionel Jenkins, and Sir Robert Southwell to Berlin.
In the afternoon Monsieur Borcel and Monsieur Monro came to see me; he pretends to have been of the Princess's party. Monsieur Waldeck sent me a compliment.
28th. Sir Gabriel was with me. He told me that he had spoken with the Prince about the States sending one to the Dukes of Brunswick to go on jointly with us. He said he thought it could not be, and referred him to the Pensioner, who told him there was no thought of their altering or renewing any treaty as long as Friezland was so cross; that they had a treaty which would serve, and having sent so lately they could not send again; but they were sorry they did not order the Count Flodorp to stay longer. The Pensioner likes the project. Sir Gabriel wonders that the Prince hath not yet spoken to him; he is unsatisfied, and saith that every body else is. He was yesterday with the Count de Waldeck, who is not pleased, but makes great professions to England; he complains a little that our ministers would have corrupted his wife by Wichefort. The Prince was to see him to-day; he advises him to give up Masseick and Hasselt in time, or else he will be fain to do it by force. We were saying that we believed if there was never so advantageous an alliance offered by England, that Friezland would oppose it; and we fear that at some time they may give themselves wholly up to France. Sir Gabriel tells me that he hopes to find the house of Brunswick well disposed, though the Duke of Cell should not. There is some disagreement, because the Duke of Wolfenbüttel did not marry his daughter, who is now to be married to the Prince of East Friezland. He is to offer him 6hips, which will be of use, as he has a considerable port, Harborg. Mr. Bracey came to me in the morning, and told me the whole story of John de Witt and Cornelius de Witt, of his having been put to torture for being accused of having a design to murder the Prince. His brother came to the prison to fetch him out, and there he was pulled in pieces.
29th. Mr. Freeman staid with me till night, and talked again of our project. He thinks it will be well for him to be in England at the meeting of Parliament, for he may have an opportunity of seeing some that will be hard to be found afterwards. He does not doubt that we shall compass the business if we can keep our own counsel. He told me a long story of the services he had done to the Prince, and how ill he was requited.
30th. Monsieur Bentem came to see me; he told me that Monsieur Waldeck had a better opinion of the last Bishop of Munster than he hath of this, for he was to be trusted, and this is not.